Under the leadership of Kristen Waggoner, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) has been engaged in several high-profile cases that have reached the United States Supreme Court, most notably the 2022 Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade; Waggoner successfully argued three of the cases during the historic litigation.
Throughout her distinguished career, the CEO, president, and general counsel of ADF has been named among the top influential lawyers in America, often recognized for her dedication to preserving constitutional freedoms. On September 2-5, Waggoner will be one of the keynote speakers at Care Net’s 2024 Annual Conference at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Conference Center in Aurora, Colorado. The theme of the conference, “In the Beginning Was the Word,” is based on John 1:1.
Care Net’s National Conference, which features over 100 breakout sessions from a wide array of noted speakers, serves as a vital platform for educating pregnancy centers, providing them with the latest research, best practices, and innovative strategies to enhance their services. Through its conference, Care Net seeks to empower pregnancy centers and advocate for a culture that embraces the beauty of abundant life.
In addition to Kristen Waggoner, the lineup of keynote speakers includes Roland Warren, President and CEO of Care Net; Seth Gruber, host of the “UnAborted” podcast; and Vera Jones, a motivational speaker and former college basketball commentator.
Roland Warren, an alumnus of Princeton University and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, is one of the foremost leaders in today’s pro-life movement. After 20 years in the corporate world (IBM, Pepsi, and Goldman Sachs), Roland spent 11 years as president of National Fatherhood Initiative before joining Care Net in 2012 as president and CEO. He is the author of two books, Raising Sons of Promise: A Guide for Single Mothers of Boys, and Bad Dads of the Bible: 8 Mistakes Every Good Dad Can Avoid.
“Being pro-abundant life requires embracing and promoting marriage, encouraging responsible fatherhood, and consistently sharing the transformative message of the gospel of Jesus Christ,” he said. “Being Pro-Abundant Life means providing compassion, hope, and help to those facing pregnancy decisions so they are empowered to choose life for their unborn children and abundant life for their families.”
The son of a pregnancy resource center director, Seth Gruber was raised in the pro-life movement and has been speaking publicly on behalf of unborn children since the age of 19. At Westmont College, he founded the Students for Life Club and challenged the institution for its refusal to take a formal position on abortion. Today, Gruber is the host of the popular podcast “UnAborted” and founder and president of the White Rose Resistance, an organization dedicated to educating and mobilizing communities to uphold the value of human life from conception to natural death.
Vera Jones, a communications coach, has been described as a humorous and relatable speaker who thrives on empathy and emotional intelligence. An author, award-winning television and radio broadcaster, and Syracuse University Hall-of-Fame Scholar-Athlete, Jones worked for over 30 years as a women’s basketball analyst and reporter for various networks, including ESPN, Fox Sports, and Madison Square Garden Network. Today, she is the host of the women’s basketball show, Certifies Unscripted, and her motivational podcast, Perseverance Live.
Jones’ inspirational talks help individuals and teams “Play Through the Foul” with the power of faith, focus, and fortitude. Her 2017 speech for Goalcast, “Trust Your Vision,” went viral, garnering 47 million views (and counting). In the video, Jones chronicles the trials and tribulations of being a single parent to her 12-year-old son who lost most of his eyesight. Jones candidly shares about encouraging Andrew to face his fears, and “not let the things you can’t do overshadow the things you can do.”
“People will constantly say, ‘You can’t.’ The magic words for a winners’ mentality is ‘I can.’”
Andrew may not have been able to play basketball or football, but went on to play goalball, a paralympic sport. Later, he attended college, and had an interest in helping people with disabilities, according to his proud mom.
“Ultimately, we’re here to lead and to serve everybody else….Those fouls in your life, if you just trust the vision…will lead you directly to your purpose,” Jones said. “That’s how we all win.”
For information or to register for Care Net’s 2024 National Conference, click here.